OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird for the first time on Monday acknowledged the chances of reaching a “political solution” in Syria are becoming increasingly slim as the two-year conflict enters “a new dark chapter.”

The Conservative government has been extremely reluctant to discuss any type of military intervention in Syria, but reports of chemical weapon attacks last week have suddenly upped the ante and pressured the international community to respond.

The U.S., Britain and France have threatened retaliatory strikes in recent days, and leaders in those countries were in touch with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Baird over the weekend.

Speaking to reporters in Toronto, Baird reiterated that “Canada believes the only way to halt the bloodshed in Syria is through a political solution.”

“However, we understand that this solution is becoming more and more difficult as the crisis enters a very dangerous new phase,” he added.

Baird said the government was “incredibly outraged” over the apparent use of chemical weapons, which are linked to the deaths of at least 300 men, women and children last week and which the Syrian opposition has blamed on the Syrian government.

“Such an attack demands a firm response from the international community,” Baird said, adding Canada will work “in lockstep” with its allies.

Despite being attacked by snipers, United Nations inspectors were on the ground in Damascus on Monday trying to find answers as to what chemicals were used and by whom.

The U.S. and Britain have ratcheted up the rhetoric in recent days, warning they may launch cruise missiles and other long-range against Syrian government targets should it be found the government had used nerve gas against its own citizens.